Dave Bautista to Star as Drax the Destroyer in Marvel’s GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY

Reports now have Dave Bautista (The Man with the Iron Fists) signed on to play Drax the Destroyer in Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy. Bautista was in the mix for the role with Isaiah Mustafa and Patrick Wade, as well as Jason Momoa, who many considered the frontrunner. Bautista will now become the second team member to join Marvel’s Guardians after Chris Pratt (Zero Dark Thirty) signed on as Peter Quill, aka Star-Lord earlier this year. While Quill is a human-alien hybrid, Drax began life as a human but was reborn in a powerful new body which granted him extreme strength, flight, and energy blasts. Hit the jump for more.

Heat Vision reports that Bautista has joined Guardians of the Galaxy as Drax the Destroyer. The James Gunn-directed picture features Marvel’s lesser-known team of superheroes which also includes Rocket Raccoon, Groot and Gamora. The plot centers on Quill, “a U.S. pilot who ends up in space in the middle of a universal conflict and goes on the run with futuristic ex-cons who have something everyone want.” For an in-depth look at the characters from Guardians of the Galaxy, check out our handy-dandy guide here.

Bautista was recently seen as the all-metal Brass Body in RZA’s The Man with the Iron Fists, but was also featured in a recent image from David Twohy’s upcoming film, Riddick. Bautista stars opposite Vin Diesel in that film, which will be released on September 6th.

Check out some of our latest coverage on Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy below: